http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo
Sat, 28 Feb 2015 03:59:00 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2Megapixels, How Much Is Too Much?http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/27/megapixels-how-much-is-too-much/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/27/megapixels-how-much-is-too-much/#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:23:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5679Earlier this month Canon turned heads with the announcement of not one, but two 50-megapixel DSLRs, grabbing the resolution crown from rivals Nikon and Sony. But as the megapixel race approaches nearly unheard-of levels in the high-end camera market, there are two essential questions that need to be answered. Do photographers really need 50 million pixels of resolution? And more crucially, can current 35mm lenses even resolve that much detail in the first place?

Nikon accelerated the current push for more megapixels back in 2012 when it launched the D800 and D800E, each with a 36-megapixel sensor. But when I reviewed that camera it quickly became evident that capturing the amount of detail the sensor was capable of required both outstanding lenses and meticulous technique. If you’re after the highest quality image possible, there are really only a handful of lenses that can actually deliver 36MP of information. One of the best of those is Sigma’s 35mm F1.4 HSM lens. This prime lens has outstanding sharpness, lets in a lot of light and its all-metal construction is built to stand up to years of daily use. It’s also heavy, weighing in at almost 1.5 pounds and will cost you $900 (which actually makes it a bargain in the world of high-end optics). And should you, like most photographers, prefer the convenience of zoom lenses, the weight and price increase substantially.

On a recent trip to the Grand Canyon with the D800E I packed Nikon’s 14-24mm F2.8 and 70-200mm F2.8 II lenses—among the sharpest the company makes—along with the Sigma 35mm F1.4. Add the camera body and that’s more than nine pounds of gear to carry, not even counting the tripod. If ultra-high resolution and detail is your goal, you’re not going to be traveling light.

Of course, the image detail and clarity is nothing short of stunning. But the only practical way to enjoy this level of detail is to make a large print. And by large, I mean about 20 inches or so on the short side. There’s simply no visual advantage to having that many megapixels if you’re making prints significantly smaller than that.

So now Canon has upped the ante with its 5DS and 5DS R. But does 50MP give you any practical advantage over 36MP models from Nikon and Sony?

Yes, you can make even more extreme crops and still have files with enough resolution to publish in a magazine. But’s it’s a fair question as to whether any of Canon’s own lenses, the majority of which were designed for film cameras, can actually resolve all the detail this new sensor should be able to deliver. Even the much loved Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L II, a stellar performer on the 22MP Canon 5D Mk III, may be hard-pressed to duplicate its results on a sensor with more than twice the resolution.

We won’t know anything for certain until the 5D S and 5DS R start shipping later this year, of course. But if you’re seduced by the appeal of a 50MP DSLR, keep in mind that you’ll need to be spending a whole lot of money on lenses and lugging around several pounds of gear for any hope of getting the most out of one.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/27/megapixels-how-much-is-too-much/feed/1Sling TV Adds WatchESPN App And $5 Sports Packagehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/09/sling-tv-adds-watchespn-app-and-5-sports-package/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/09/sling-tv-adds-watchespn-app-and-5-sports-package/#commentsMon, 09 Feb 2015 15:14:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=1514Sling TV is rolling out its $20 per month live streaming service to the public today, with a host of additional content for cord-cutting sports junkies. Subscribers can now use their Sling TV credentials to access ESPN and ESPN 2 via the WatchESPN app, with the company promising ESPN 3 access in the near future.

Sling TV has announced another new content deal that will bring channels like AMC, BBC AMERICA, BBC World News, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv to its base channel package in the coming weeks according to a company statement.

Sling TV, a subsidiary of the Dish Network is the first OTT provider to offer ESPN’s stable of channels to viewers without a traditional pay TV subscription. By offering a small-channel bundle at a significantly lower cost than the average cable plan, the company hopes to convert some of the estimated 10 million broadband households in the US without any pay TV subscription into customers. While that audience is dwarfed by the roughly 100 million pay TV subscribers, content providers, mindful of the music industry’s mis-steps with digital downloads, have become increasingly willing to offer their shows to viewers outside of the still-lucrative pay TV model. You can read my review of Sling TV to find out what it offers both to those who’ve never had cable as well as those looking to cut the cord.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/09/sling-tv-adds-watchespn-app-and-5-sports-package/feed/0Canon Unveils 50-Megapixel 5DS And 5DS Rhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/canon-announces-two-50-megapixel-dslrs/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/canon-announces-two-50-megapixel-dslrs/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 04:00:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5749The megapixel race is back on. Today [tweet_quote display="Canon passes Nikon in the megapixel race, announcing not one, but two 50MP full frame DSLRs @ForbesTech"]Canon announced not one, but two full frame EOS 5D models with a 50MP sensor,[/tweet_quote] making them the highest resolution 35mm-style DSLRs ever released. The long-rumored EOS 5DS and 5DS R are identical in every respect except that the latter captures slightly more detail by canceling the effect of the low-pass filter.

Both cameras are based on the popular 5D Mk III, sharing its control layout, ergonomics and weather sealing, though they do feature some body construction modifications to reduce internal vibrations when the mirror flips up. The big news of course is the groundbreaking 50MP full frame sensor, which grabs the resolution crown from Nikon and Sony’s 36 MP cameras. Both models are set to go on sale this summer. Here’s what we know so far and what it all means for Canon shooters.

Key specs

50MP CMOS sensor

Dual DIGIC 6 processors

Cancellation of low-pass filter effect (5DS R only)

5fps burst rate

61-point AF system

1.3x and 1.6x crop modes

ISO 100-6400

Dual CF and SD card slots

Small and medium size Raw formats

Intervalometer (for time-lapse photos)

What you need to know

The 5DS and 5DS R will ship in June for $3,700 and $3,900 respectively (body only). The cameras are identical in every way except that the 5DS R cancels the softening effect of the low-pass filter that sits in front of both camera’s sensors. The purpose of this filter is to slightly blur the image in order to reduce the instances of color moiré you get when photographing objects with fine repeating patterns, like roof tiles or brickwork at a distance and fabrics when shooting fashion. This is the same two-camera approach Nikon took when they released their D800 and D800E in 2012 (Nikon removed the filter altogether in its followup D810). By canceling out this softening effect you get greater image detail at the cost of increased risk of moiré, which can be difficult to remove post-capture. With that distinction out of the way, I’ll simply refer to the 5D S in the following roundup of camera features.

The 5DS packs 50MP onto its full-frame sensor, giving it the same pixel density of 4.1 µm found on the company’s 20MP APS-C 7D Mark II. The camera features dual DIGIC 6 image processors to handle the enormous amount of data generated by such large files. You can shoot at 5fps which isn’t blazing fast, but is in line with what other super-high resolution DSLRs can capture. The AF system is inherited from the 5D Mark III which means you get a 61-point AF array and options for adjusting AF behavior to fit specific shooting situations. The “Intelligent Tracking and Recognition” system seen on the flagship EOS 1D X and more recently, the EOS 7D Mark II is brought to the 5DS as well, providing a more precise method for automatically maintaining focus on moving subjects.

With the 5DS, Canon introduces two crop modes. In addition to shooting full frame you can set the camera to capture either a 1.3x APS-H crop for a 3oMP file or a 1.6x APS-C crop which yields a 19.6MP image. By doing so you can crop out surrounding areas of the scene to make your subject occupy a larger portion of the frame. This is not a magnification, simply an in-camera crop. You’d get the same results by cropping the image post-capture. When I reviewed the Nikon D800, which also offers a crop mode, one benefit I did find in using it was that the camera’s AF array filled up a significantly larger portion of the frame, providing better subject tracking. On the D800 the crop modes also gave you a faster burst rate. But Canon’s reps have told me there is no increase in burst rate on the 5DS, which is quite unexpected given the smaller (and thus more easily processed) file sizes the crop modes produce.

The 5DS features an intervalometer for those who like to shoot time-lapse photos. There’s also an option to set specific time intervals for the mirror lockup, maximizing sharpness when shooting with a tripod. A new Fine Detail picture mode has been added to the JPEG shooting options and as usual you can shoot in both small and medium size Raw file formats.

Compared to the 5D Mark III

The 5DS doesn’t replace the 5D Mark III, but sits alongside it as a decidedly niche option. For the vast majority of users the 5D Mark III is the more compelling and versatile camera. Among the penalties you pay for 50MP resolution are a slower burst rate, reduced low-light performance and fewer video options as the table below illustrates.

The big picture

The sensor in the 5DS was developed in-house says Canon. And while the Japanese camera maker can now boast of having the highest resolution 35mm-style DSLR on the market, it’s been widely rumored that Sony is planning to release its own 50MP sensor in an upcoming Alpha-series camera.

One big question Canon will have to answer over the coming months is which, if any of their current lenses can actually resolve 50 megapixels of detail in the first place. When I tested the Nikon D800 at dpreview, it quickly became apparent that getting the most out of that 36MP sensor meant using the best prime lenses at their sharpest apertures with a sturdy tripod and mirror lockup. Canon users will, at minimum have to use the company’s flagship L lenses to if they want any chance of matching the resolving power of the sensor. Nearly all of these lenses go for $1,000 and up. And again, a tripod will be mandatory for getting all of the detail the sensor is capable of capturing.

A second question is who needs 50MP resolution in the first place? Canon’s pitch to working pros is that instead of investing in a medium format camera system, which can easily cost more than a new car, you can get similar image quality in a smaller, lighter and more versatile package. Fine art photographers and hobbyists with access to large format inkjet printers will be able to make huge 30 x 40 inch prints without upsampling. The challenge for Canon is that so much shooting is now being done for web and multimedia rather than print. In any event, you can shoot a two-page magazine spread just fine with a 24MP camera. And among pros who shoot commercial and fashion, one of the reasons to use a medium format system is that clients often equate huge cameras and expensive systems with a photographer’s worth. Art directors don’t want to go on a shoot and see the photographer using the same camera their uncle Bernie has. So for these pros it’s not always about resolution in the first place.

There’s no denying that a 50MP DSLR is a notable achievement, worthy of the headlines it’s generating. But the reality is precious few photographers need or can even make use of that much data. The 24 and 36MP cameras currently on offer from both Nikon and Sony strike a better balance between resolution and value for the vast majority of hobbyists and professionals. And until production units are released it remains a fair question whether or not Canon’s 35mm EF lenses, most of them developed for film-era cameras, can match what their new sensor can deliver.

Other news

Canon announced several other new products today as well. A new EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM lens becomes the widest non-fisheye optic in Canon’s full frame lens lineup. This 9-blade aperture lens is weather-sealed, comes with a built-in hood and has a minimum focus distance of .28 meters at the wide end. It will go on sale in late February for $2,999.

For those with more modest budgets Canon has announced the EOS T6i and T6s Rebel-series DSLRs. Both cameras feature a new 24MP APS-C sensor, rear touchscreen LCD, 19-point AF system (borrowed from the EOS 70D) and have built-in Wi-Fi. With an ISO range of 100-12,800 they can shoot at 5fps and capture 1080p video at 60fps. While the T6i is geared towards first-time DSLR buyers, the T6s adds features from higher-end Canon models like a top plate LCD screen and rear control dial. The cameras will ship in April with the T6s going for $850 (body only) and $1199 with the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens. The cheaper T61 will be $750 (body only), $899 bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm STM lens and $1099 with the EF-S 18-135mm STM lens. The current model EOS T5i is not being discontinued and will remain in the EOS lineup.

Canon has also unveiled plans for a PowerShot G3 X which will inherit the 1-inch CMOS sensor found in the G7 X but add a much longer 25x zoom lens with a 24mm-600mm equivalent focal length range. The camera is currently under development and Canon has yet to announce availability or pricing. The superzoom PowerShot SX410 will replace the existing SX400, adding a higher resolution 20MP sensor and longer 40x zoom.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/canon-announces-two-50-megapixel-dslrs/feed/0Samsung Launches NX500, A Little Sibling To Its NX1http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/samsung-launches-nx500-a-little-sibling-to-its-nx1/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/samsung-launches-nx500-a-little-sibling-to-its-nx1/#commentsThu, 05 Feb 2015 10:30:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5772Samsung has announced the NX500, a small and lightweight APS-C mirrorless camera aimed at, in the camera maker’s words “everyday photographers” that nonetheless inherits key specs from the company’s pro-level NX1.

Like its DSLR-styled big brother, the NX500 boasts a 28MP backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor , a top ISO of 51,200, 4K video capture, Samsung’s latest hybrid AF system and a 3-inch SuperAMOLED rear touchscreen. It accepts the same range of NX lenses as well. Yet the NX500 comes in a much more portable package, eschewing a viewfinder and its associated hump for a rangefinder-style body very similar to the NX3000.

As you’d expect from a company that makes smartphones, the NX500 is big on image sharing, offering Wi-Fi of the 802.11 b/g/n variety along with NFC and Bluetooth connectivity.

Key specs

28MP BSI APS-C sensor

4K video @ 24fps (30fps UHD, 60fps Full HD)

3-inch SuperAMOLED tilt/flip touchscreen

ISO 100-25,600 (51,200 extended)

Hybrid AF

9 fps burst

DRIMe V image processor

H.265 video codec

The camera’s 28MP APS-C sensor is backside-illuminated with all of the chip’s circuitry located behind the sensor which can allow for greater light capture and less noise. While BSI sensors are common in smartphones and 1-inch chips like those in the popular Sony RX100 III and Canon G7 X, the NX500 joins the NX1 as the only cameras with this technology in the much larger APS-C sensor size. Reviewers of the NX1 have found high ISO noise performance to be fairly good, at least in Raw mode, so expect to see similar performance with the NX500.

[tweet_quote display="New NX500 offers key features from NX1 in a smaller camera body with fewer external controls and no viewfinder."]The NX500 essentially takes key features from the NX1 and bundles them in a smaller, less intimidating camera body with fewer external controls and no viewfinder.[/tweet_quote] It’s a far more high-powered option than Samsung’s entry-level 20MP NX3000 which shoots at a slower burst rate of 5fps, has neither a touchscreen nor 4K output and uses an older generation AF system.

The NX500 goes on sale in March for $800 with the 16-50mm kit lens and will come in black, brown and white versions.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/05/samsung-launches-nx500-a-little-sibling-to-its-nx1/feed/0Moment Kickstarts iPhone Case+Lens Mount Combo For Photographershttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/03/moment-kickstarts-iphone-caselens-mount-combo-for-photographers/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/03/moment-kickstarts-iphone-caselens-mount-combo-for-photographers/#commentsTue, 03 Feb 2015 14:13:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5767Moment, a Seattle-based startup known for its high-quality iPhone camera lenses is now set to produce [tweet_quote display="On Kickstarter, an iPhone 6 case with built-in lens mount, shutter button, strap loops and camera app integration"]an iPhone 6 case that features a built-in lens mount, shutter button, camera strap loops and tight integration with an upcoming version of the company’s own camera app[/tweet_quote] . The Moment Case was introduced to the public as a Kickstarter project and in just one week has raised more than $300,000 already surpassing the company’s funding goal by more more than 300%.

The case’s most unique feature is a two-stage shutter button that communicates directly with the Moment camera app via Bluetooth. You can use a half-press to lock focus and/or exposure just like on a traditional camera. Or hold the shutter down with a full-press to enable burst mode. A bayonet-style lens mount is built into the case allowing you to securely attach either of Moment’s two lenses (wide and telephoto) with a simple twist. The case can detect which of the two lenses is attached, opening the possibility for specialized app functionality based on focal length. With a relatively thin profile, minus a camera grip-like bulge at one end that houses its electronics and provides a grip suitable for one-handed shooting, the rubberized material provides a slip-free surface. Two aluminum loops at the bottom of the case let you attach any standard camera strap.

Moment’s camera app features a minimalist interface that offers touch and slide gestures to control focus and exposure and a self-timer. A “Raw” photo mode lets you save images in the higher quality TIFF format.

This is Moment’s second go-round on Kickstarter, a follow-up to the hugely successful campaign last fall that raised nearly half a million dollars and launched their lens lineup. “Most companies never go back to Kickstarter once they launch their product,” Moment founder Marc Barros told me days before this newest campaign. “For us it’s an invaluable tool to gauge interest in a product. We’ve spent five months working on what we think is a great product. But now we’ll get to see if it’s actually something that people want.”

You can pre-order the case on Kickstarter until February 26 for $49. Additional backer options include a wood grip on the case, the wide and tele lenses and newly designed lens caps.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/02/03/moment-kickstarts-iphone-caselens-mount-combo-for-photographers/feed/1Cablevision Smartphone Service To Be Wi-Fi Onlyhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/cablevision-to-launch-wi-fi-only-phone-service/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/cablevision-to-launch-wi-fi-only-phone-service/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 18:19:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5736[tweet_quote display="Cablevision to jump into the wireless business with a Wi-Fi only unlimited data, talk and text plan for the Moto G"]Cablevision is set to jump into the wireless business, launching a Wi-Fi only unlimited data, talk and text plan[/tweet_quote] for the Motorola Moto G budget smartphone next month. Dubbed Freewheel, the $30 per month plan (Cablevision subscribers can join for only $10) omits cellular data in favor of Wi-Fi networks and includes unlimited access to the 1.1 million Optimum Wi-Fi hotspots in the NY metro area.

With pay TV services under increasing competition from OTT providers, Cablevision becomes the first cable company in the US to offer an all Wi-Fi service for smartphones. “There has been a dramatic shift in how consumers use their mobile devices; today, it’s all about data, and WiFi is now preferred and clearly superior to cellular,” said Cablevision COO Kristin Dolan in a statement. The monthly plan comes with no contract and is being pitched to budget conscious users who live in urban areas with constant access to Wi-Fi networks. The move is an attempt by Cablevision to leverage its investment in building out its regional Wi-Fi network in order to stem the tide of subscriber loss from its TV service. It goes without saying that by foregoing a fallback cellular option the service’s appeal will be limited to those who are always in range of a hotspot.

At launch the service will be exclusive to the Motorola Moto G smartphone which will be offered at the discounted rate of $100 but without requiring a contract. You’ll be able to log into any Wi-Fi network you have access to but for those in the New York City area the phone will automatically connect to any Optimum hotspots it detects, with priority given to the one with the strongest signal. An international calling plan is also available that includes approximately 2,500 minutes of talk time.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/cablevision-to-launch-wi-fi-only-phone-service/feed/0Sling TV Review: Live TV For Cord-Cuttershttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/sling-tv-review-live-tv-for-cord-cutters/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/sling-tv-review-live-tv-for-cord-cutters/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 14:01:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5673Sling TV, a new streaming service from the Dish Network, offers cord-cutters live sports, news and entertainment programming from channels like ESPN , TNT and CNN for a monthly fee, no cable subscription or contract commitment required. It may seem odd for a pay TV provider like Dish to support a web-delivered bundle, but with an estimated 10 million broadband households in the US foregoing any pay TV package, [tweet_quote display="With Sling TV, Dish tries to convert cord-cutters into customers.@ForbesTech"]Dish joins a growing field of content providers and networks trying to convert these holdouts into customers.[/tweet_quote] I’ve spent some time using a beta version of Sling TV to see what it offers for those who’ve already ditched cable and whether it’s a viable option for those considering canceling their TV service.

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV is an over-the-top (OTT) video service that delivers live television programming through your Internet connection. You can stream to your TV via a set-top box or watch from a mobile device. The core package costs $20 per month and there’s a library of movies available for rent as well. With no contract requirement you can start and restart service as you wish.

Who’s it for?

If you’ve dropped cable but still want to watch live sports, Sling TV offers ESPN, ESPN2 and TNT, providing live coverage of pro sports leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB along with NCAA football and basketball games, tennis’ Grand Slams events and Masters Tournament golf. You also get CNN and the Disney Channel.

When can I get it?

Beginning on Tuesday, January 27, the service will roll out to the first batch of consumers who signed up for early access. You can still request an invitation at sling.com. The launch to the general public is slated to happen “within the next two weeks” according to Sling representatives and will include a one-week free trial.

What do I need to watch Sling TV?

Viewing options for beta users are currently limited to mobile devices and TVs connected to a Roku 3 player. At launch, however, you’ll be able to stream directly to your TV with any Roku or Amazon Fire set-top box or streaming stick, an Xbox One or Google Nexus Player. Select smart TVs from Samsung and LG will be supported as well. After downloading a free app you can also watch Sling TV on iOS and Android devices or stream using the browser on a Mac or Windows computer.

What channels do I get?

Sling TV’s base package comes with ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network with Adult Swim, Disney Channel, ABC Family and CNN. Subscribers will soon have access to the Watch ESPN mobile app. A kids package adds Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV and Duck TV for an extra $5 per month. Similarly, an add-on bundle containing HLN, the Cooking Channel, DIY and Bloomberg is available for another $5. A selection of on-demand movies can be streamed for rental rates of $4-5 per title.

The interface

I’ve been using the pre-release version of Sling TV on an iPhone 6, Google Nexus 7 tablet and my TV via a Roku 3 set-top box. The interface is consistent between platforms, making it very easy to navigate regardless of the device you’re watching on. Clicking on a channel displays a scrollable list showing upcoming programs and their start times.

With only 11 channels, the single line scrollable list at the bottom of the screen is manageable for navigation but would get unwieldy if many more networks were added. You can, however, trim the channel list via a menu that groups them by content, showing you just sports or news channels for example. Searching for content via the Roku obviously requires the hunt-and-peck style navigation that users find so frustrating, so when watching on your TV your best bet is to browse using the remote’s arrow keys.

On a Roku 3, scrolling speed is usable if not ultra responsive. It will be interesting to see how different the experience is on the higher-powered Amazon Fire TV is when Sling TV becomes available on that device. Overall, the interface is intuitive and particularly well-designed for the smaller screens of tablets and phones. On the TV my 10-year old figured out how to surf channels and browse content with the Roku remote in a matter of seconds. And in nearly a week of daily use I haven’t had any crashes with either the iOS or Android apps.

The viewing experience

Your initial reaction to using Sling TV will likely depend on how you currently consume video. If your viewing consists exclusively of Internet-delivered services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the idea of commercials at regularly spaced intervals can be a bit jarring, not to mention the time they add to your shows. And parents who appreciate an ad-free viewing environment for their kids may want to think twice.

Due to licensing restrictions, the ability to pause, rewind or replay entire episodes (within a 3-day window) is limited to Scripps network properties like HGTV, Travel Channel, the Food Network and the Cooking Channel plus Bloomberg, Baby TV and Duck TV. The rest of the channel lineup is strictly appointment TV.

If you’re coming from a cable or satellite experience, you’ll have to get used to waiting 3-5 seconds every time you change channels, as the content buffers before playback can begin. Once playing though, I got video quality that was easily on par with what I see from other streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus. Sling TV Program & Partner Manager Max Orcutt tells me the video encoding they use is based on a proprietary technology that adapts the feed based on your current connection speed. My home Internet connection typically varies between 20-50Mbps of real-world speed and I experienced no video quality issues outside of one temporary hiccup related to my Tine Warner Cable connection. Your results may vary.

Something all users should be aware of is that each Sling TV account is limited to one stream at a time. You can’t watch Sling on your TV while a family member watches on a mobile device, for example. During this beta period Orcutt’s team is still implementing the rules for which device takes viewing precedence but he says that at launch Sling will honor whichever device put in the most recent request to their servers. So if you’re sitting on the couch watching House Hunters and your child launches Sling on their tablet to watch Teen Titans Go!, the video feed on your TV will stop, accompanied by a message saying another device is streaming instead.

Sling TV comes with a selection of on-demand movie rentals. The library is rather limited right now, with Sling TV representatives saying that content will expand over time. You can purchase rentals in either standard definition for $4 or HD for an extra $1. On my now aging 720p TV I couldn’t tell the difference, so you’ll want to make sure your set can actually deliver 1080p quality before choosing the more expensive option.

The wrap-up

The folks behind Sling TV aren’t trying to replace the cable TV package for the typical subscriber. CEO Roger Lynch says the service’s target audience is millennials, industry shorthand for those who’ve already ditched their pay TV plan or never had one in the first place. This channel bundle is too small to appeal to every taste or viewing preference. And you can’t pick and choose what comes in the base package.

But that’s really beside the point. Sling TV proves that content providers are willing to strike web-only licensing deals without fear of killing the cash cow of pay TV. The service is easy to use, well-designed and delivers exactly what it promises, live TV without a cable bill.

For sports fans, the upside is huge. Sling TV is far and away the best option for watching live sports on your TV without a cable bill. Anyone holding on to their cable plan only because they need their sports fix should take a long hard look. Between ESPN, ESPN 2 and TNT you can watch the major US pro leagues (minus the NHL), NCAA competition, X Games events plus tennis and golf tournaments. The only things you’re missing here are the regional sports networks that show your local teams on a regular basis.

For a growing number of households, TV service could easily look like this: Netflix and/or Amazon Prime for movies and binge-watching, Hulu Plus for broadcast TV episodes, and a small-channel bundle like Sling TV for live sports and news. While the aggregate cost of these services plus an Internet connection won’t turn out to be any cheaper than the promotional offers from your cable company, the upside is you won’t be tied to any long-term commitments and can drop or add services as your needs or budgets change. Hardcore cable subscribers won’t give up 200+ channels and DVR capability for a bundle of only 11 (mostly mediocre) channels. But for sports fans who tend to watch only a few scripted shows to begin with, Sling TV is a long overdue alternative.

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/26/sling-tv-review-live-tv-for-cord-cutters/feed/2HBO’s Web-Only Service Projected To Be A Huge Hithttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/22/hbos-web-only-service-projected-to-be-a-huge-hit/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/22/hbos-web-only-service-projected-to-be-a-huge-hit/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 13:01:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5682When HBO unveils its standalone streaming plan later this year, it won’t be lacking for customers. A new survey conducted by Parks Associates found a whopping [tweet_quote display="Survey estimates 17% of the 100 million broadband households will sign up for HBO's standalone streaming service"]17% of the estimated 100 million broadband households in the US as, “likely to subscribe” to the company’s over-the-top (OTT) service[/tweet_quote] , one that eliminates the need for a pay TV subscription. The vast majority (91%) of these households already have a pay TV service, but cable providers should take note that Parks projects half of them as willing to drop their TV subscription once they can get HBO as a standalone service. The findings from this 10,000 household survey illustrate, at the very least, the willingness of consumers to adopt to new distribution models.

“HBO picked a good time to announce its standalone HBO Go OTT service,” says Parks Associates analyst Glenn Hower. “HBO recognizes that lot of people are doing whatever it takes to watch shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ and they’re offering an easy, legal way for viewers to do that.” With CBS already offering its own web-only package and Dish’s Sling TV bringing ESPN to cord-cutters, industry watchers expect more OTT services to be launched in the coming months.

While the traditional pay TV model is still extremely lucrative for content producers, TV executives have only to look at the music industry as a prime example of what happens when you resist giving customers what they want on the platforms they prefer. And this doesn’t have to be a money-losing proposition. HBO’s standalone service is expected to cost around $15 per month, the same amount most customers now pay for the channel as an add-on to their cable subscription. And as much as viewers complain about high cable bills, Hower doesn’t see streaming customers balking at the lack of a discount. “We’ve seen that a sizable number of consumers find a lot of value in premium content,” he says. Citing a 2014 Nielsen report that shows viewers watch an average of just 17 out of the 189 channels they’re forced to buy with their cable package, Hower says, “It’s a frustrating prospect for a lot of viewers when they have to move up to a higher tier bundle just to get a single channel that they like. They may be comfortable with paying almost the same money but getting just the channels they want.”

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/22/hbos-web-only-service-projected-to-be-a-huge-hit/feed/3Adobe Launches Lightroom Mobile For Android Phoneshttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/15/adobe-launches-lightroom-mobile-for-android-phones/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/15/adobe-launches-lightroom-mobile-for-android-phones/#commentsThu, 15 Jan 2015 10:05:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5658Adobe extends the reach of its Lightroom mobile app with a version developed for Android phones. Designed to work in concert with the desktop version of Lightroom, the mobile app allows users to import images directly from their phone’s camera app, make adjustments and automatically sync both the images and edits to their desktop Lightroom catalog.

Just like existing versions of the app for iOS devices, the Android version uses the same Basic Panel adjustment tools found on the desktop version of Lightroom, letting you control key parameters like exposure, white balance, contrast, and shadow/highlight detail. Any photo edits or metadata changes you make on your phone are sync’d along with the image to the Lightroom catalog on your desktop computer, where you can continue to adjust those settings. We’ve got a hands-on look at Lightroom mobile to show you how this works in more detail.

The synchronization is done via Adobe’s cloud services and requires a Creative Cloud subscription. While you can sync images manually, you also have the option of automatically importing your smartphone photos, as you shoot them, to the desktop Lightroom catalog. You can also flag images, add star ratings and set a custom image order. This release was developed for phones only. Adobe says a tablet-optimized version for Android is in the works but offers no timeframe for its release.

Lightroom mobile for Android phones is available from the Google Play store and is compatible with phones running Jellybean, KitKat, or Lollipop versions of the Android OS. You must have Lightroom 5.4 or higher installed on your computer and a subscription to the Creative Cloud complete plan for individuals or teams, Photoshop Photography Program, or the student and teacher edition. Users without a Creative Cloud subscription, however, can try out Lightroom mobile with a 30-day free trial. Additional information and instructional videos are available on Adobe’s site.

]]>http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/15/adobe-launches-lightroom-mobile-for-android-phones/feed/1Streaming Options Grow But Cable Still Looms Largehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/13/streaming-options-grow-but-cable-still-looms-large/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2015/01/13/streaming-options-grow-but-cable-still-looms-large/#commentsTue, 13 Jan 2015 14:46:00 +0000http://blogs.forbes.com/amadoudiallo/?p=5630HBO and ESPN will soon be available without a pay TV subscription. Sony is set to launch a web TV package that replaces the cable box with its PlayStation consoles. CBS has already begun offering a live stream of its lineup as a standalone purchase and odds are we’ll see even more streaming options announced in the months ahead. The momentum for over-the-top TV services is clearly building, offering much-needed choice for those who balk at paying for a glut of channels that largely go unwatched. While it’s tempting to see these moves as threats to cable giants like Comcast and Time Warner Cable, the truth is that most viewers will be stuck with cable TV bills for the foreseeable future.

“Pay TV subscriber levels have gone down and we expect that trend to continue,” says says David J. Heger, senior analyst at Edward Jones. Currently there are an estimated 10 million households without a pay TV subscription. But cable companies still have huge numbers on their side with roughly 100 million households still shelling out each month for a TV package; a reality not lost on the networks and studios that create the shows we love to watch. “The cable TV model has been phenomenally lucrative for content producers,” Heger notes. Rather than cannibalizing those customers, he says, “networks like HBO are looking to expand by capturing some of those households with no pay TV service.” This means that they’re not going to undercut the cable providers when it comes to pricing. Indeed, most expect the standalone HBO service to cost the same $15 or so that cable companies charges for the channel.

Consumers looking to cut the cord are also going to find that these new streaming services come with limitations. Sony’s offering is an all or nothing package of about 75 channels that doesn’t include HBO or ESPN. Dish Network’s Sling TV web bundle will have no DVR capability and the small 3-day replay window that is limited to only a portion of the included channels.

As these new offerings illustrate, un-bundling–the holy grail for cord-cutters who’d rather pay for channels a la carte–isn’t likely to become widespread. HBO is one of very few networks with both the viewer demand to make a standalone offering compelling for large numbers of consumers and the deep pockets to provide the customer service and billing infrastructure such a move requires. Channel bundling is largely dictated by the content providers themselves. It’s no coincidence that Sling TV’s lineup includes not just ESPN, but the Disney Channel and ABC Family. They’re all owned by Walt Disney Co. which almost certainly made the inclusion of the latter two networks a requirement for allowing Sling TV to carry ESPN.

Comcast and Time Warner Cable, in the midst of a lengthy merger review, are highlighting these new types of services as evidence of a vibrant and highly competitive video landscape. Yet the FCC is much more concerned, and rightly so, about the merger’s ramifications for broadband access. And this is the ace in the hole for cable companies. None of these video offerings work without a fast Internet connection. Control of that connection, limited to a small number of operators who don’t even compete in the same markets is the main reason most consumers won’t be dropping pay TV anytime soon.

Cable companies have shrewdly adjusted pricing to heavily promote packages that offer some combination of TV, phone and Internet service on the same plan. SNL Kagan estimates that 2/3 of pay TV subscribers have at least two bundled services. It’s easy to see why. On Comcast’s home page for example, an Internet-only package with 105Mbps download speeds is advertised for $60. Yet you can get the same Internet speed along with a pared down channel bundle and 12 months of free HBO for just $5 more.

This isn’t to say that the landscape isn’t changing. The huge growth of Netflix has shown how quickly consumers are willing to adopt a new service model. Eager to avoid the mistakes of the music industry, content providers are aggressively looking to provide viewers with the content they want to see on the platforms they want to use.”People are asking for smaller channel packages,” notes Ian Olgeirson, principal analyst at SNL Kagan,”so we’re seeing more experimentation with bundle options.” Expect to see these types of offers expand in the near future. But as long as the disparity between cord-cutters and subscribers remains this wide, don’t look for content providers to turn their backs on their pay TV partners.